Surfing Waves

Hi everyone, As a begginer Im looking for the board (i guess this sentence already makes tired most of you)). I already read few threads and got know I need MiniMal or some mates advise just longboards...I found some longboards as Semi Gun on ebay... Does a Semi Gun (7'4'') fit to the begginer as me and waves around Sydney? or I need exactly MiniMal and think away Semi Gun?
Will I look like a crazy trying to learn surfing on Semi Gun?))

Im not averse to buy MiniMal but i cannot find it under $150-170...

P.S. Actually, I did snowboarding in my county around 5 years.. Does this experiance help me?)

many thanks

A Semi-gun will be pretty hopeless for learning on. They're specifically built for big powerful waves which you wont be on just yet.

You dont necessarily need a mini-mal (particularly around sydney) but you will need something pretty bouyant. Depends on your height and weight.

drowningbitbybit, thank you
If not Mini Mal, what board would fit to me? I'm 185 cm/76 kg
Which board would be buoyant as well? and I think I visit to surfshops again and buy it there because almost all Mini Mals from China on ebay....

P.S.

Let me chime in. A semi gun, a traditional one, won't be much good for learning. However, I leanred on a california mini gun. The California guns are wider and thicker than traditional guns, lots of float and stability, yet more responsive than a minimall. I learned on a 7'6" x 20 x 2 3/4 gun and loved it, so much that even now as an experienced surfer I still have one lying around for when I get lazy. If you get one make sure it's at least 20" wide and at least 2 5/8 thick as learner board. Also, don't get one with a lot of rocker, but you will find most california boards are not.

So, not the intended purpose, I am the minority when it comes to this opinion, but from experience that is how I learned and it works. Also much easier to duckdive than a minimal.

themathteacher, thank you
I think the experience the most important thing
I did cross-country skiing, riding, snowboarding...and every time got the many opposite opinions...and every time I just tried) today I did it again I tried minimal 7'6''....sooooo big and slow...

Almost forgot, I got a 7'6 cause I'm 200lbs, if you are lighter you can probably get away with 7'0 or 7'2, post your weight and height.

Also, money wise, the semi guns are not that popular, only begginer like you and people with a specific purpose lime me buy them, so they don't demmand a high price. I've seen them locally here for $125 used, much cheaper than a minimal and beter prerformance. Just remember to keep it thick and wide for a begginer board.

I've got 2 semi-guns; 6'6" for Indo and 6'3" for here, both are rounded-pin tails. I don't ride the 6'3" here unless it's big and steep or at least very sucky. Semi guns won't go well in average Sydney surf. They are narrower than your normal board, built for better control and turns at high speeds.

They aren't shaped to create speed as you already have lots of speed on big waves so they don't work very well in smaller waves. They have the wrong tail shape for average Sydney (short period, waist to shoulder high) surf. You need more tail width to keep the board going and more nose width to paddle into the weak stuff. I'd go with a swallow tail or a rounded square. You want a shorter board for quick turns and making the drop, most of Sydney waves break fast. Make up for the lack in length with an increase in width and thickness, but not too much. Don't get a classical fish as they aren't for this part of the world either. I don't know what length or thickness will suit you, you just need to try some different types. If you find a 7'6" long and slow then it sounds like it's too easy for you maybe try something like a 7'0 but with a full outline, lots of nose width etc.

IB_Surfer wrote:If you get one make sure it's at least 20" wide and at least 2 5/8 thick as learner board. Also, don't get one with a lot of rocker, but you will find most california boards are not.

So, not the intended purpose, I am the minority when it comes to this opinion, but from experience that is how I learned and it works. Also much easier to duckdive than a minimal.

Just came up on a 7'5 1/2" x 21 x 3 semi gun, but it has a bit of a front rocker on it. First time taking it out was a blast, I like the way it paddles as I'm a stockier sized surfer at 200lbs, and it glides. Duck diving instead of rolling is so much of a relief as well..